Student Testimonials

Since 1968, the BOSS program has delivered life-changing, wilderness-based experiences to adventurous people all over the world. As a result, our alumni have become our best marketers, sharing their experiences and insights with family, friends and, hopefully, future alumni.

Here's what our students have to say about BOSS...

"The BOSS Field Course was extremely challenging, both inwardly and outwardly. I wish I had taken it in my 20’s…and again in my 30’s…and again in my 40’s…"

- P. Alves, Field course alum

“I believe BOSS has had the greatest effect on me - more than anything else I've done. I’ve been to China, Bolivia, Europe, etc., and yet none of these compare to what BOSS’s 28-Day Field Course has done for me. It’s been almost three years since I was in Boulder, Utah, and yet I think about it every day. ”

- J. Dart, Field & Explorer course alum

"The most challenging seven days of my life – with lessons that will last a lifetime. I’ll definitely be back!"

- C. Mercy, Field course alum

"My two weeks at BOSS made me feel good like after a 6-month vacation. I learned a lot and I am looking to go again! My best time ever! Excellent staff!"

- P. Heitz, Field & Skills course alum

"Not a day has gone by that I haven’t applied the skills learned at BOSS – from cooking to map reading, to my own impression of myself and the world around me. My life is forever changed. Thank you."

- K. Strobel, Field course alum

"I started my BOSS course with certain expectations. BOSS exceeded all of them."

- B. Puskar, Field and Explorer course alum

"Knowledgeable, available staff. Great locations. If you are over 50, you CAN fit in!"

- G. Yarne, Skills course alum

"Congratulations, BOSS! You exceeded my expectations! The 7-Day Field Course was challenging, inspiring, and educational. Your instructors are top notch, the trip was well planned, and the scenery incredible."

- D. Williams, Field course alum

"The mosquito bites and the scratches are gone. The beard had been shaved, a few pounds have reappeared, but the feelings I experienced are still growing and getting stronger…I can’t wait to return!"

- R. Baumann, Field course alum

"In the age of gadgets and brand names, you educate with the adventure of early technology. I experienced the quality of living in nature, rather than merely traveling through it."

"I’ve taken other outdoor and survival courses, but the BOSS courses were the best. The instructors were excellent and really cared about each participant."

- S. O’Conner, Field, Skills & Explorer course alum

"What's the hardest part about the 28-Day Field Course? Is it the long distances one must hike? The search for water each day? The cold nights and blistering days? No. It’s the daydreaming…the daydreaming about my time in the desert, and about the day I will return to BOSS."

- J. Rux, Field course alum

"(At BOSS) I felt, for the first time, a connection to 'mother earth.' At night, I was able to finally understand and literally see why our ancestors were in awe of the night sky… I experienced first hand the ancient Sanskrit saying "Tat Tvan Asi" - Thought Art That."

- P. Halter, Field and Explorer course alum

"I had reached a point in my life where I could either sit back and watch life pass me by or reach out, grab the brass ring and hang on for the ride of a lifetime. BOSS was that brass ring and filled me with such an excitement for life that I have since challenged myself in many other ways, and hope to continue to do so for the rest of my life."

- K. Mason, Field and Explorer course alum

"BOSS provides a rare opportunity where a person can truly learn about him/herself. Once you graduate from BOSS you are a member of the BOSS family."

- B. Walsh, Explorer course alum

"When I finally made fire for the first time, I felt an awesome respect for this mystical fusion of heat and light."

- C. Miller, Field course alum

"I was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted…but the exhilaration of accomplishing our objectives made it all worth it."

- M. Kennedy, Field course alum

"The course was a life experience that was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was an experience for my spirit like very few things in our modern world – it taught me basic lessons of life and nature. I can’t wait to do more courses with BOSS."

- J. Garey-Sage, Field, Skills & Explorer course alum

What you need to know

BOSS Basics

Since 1968, the Boulder Outdoor Survival School —- known to most simply as BOSS — has delivered life-changing, wilderness-based experiences to adventurous people all over the world. "Know more, carry less" is one of our core philosophies and at BOSS, students are taught how indigenous cultures around the world could often survive and even thrive without all the modern equipment people today feel is necessary. As a result of their time on the trail with us, people gain competency in the wilderness and confidence in themselves.

Course Basics

The History of BOSS

BOSS got its start in the late 1960's with a man named Larry Dean Olsen, noted author of Outdoor Survival Skills. In the 40+ years since, the school has gone through a few changes of ownership and a significant amount of growth. The program, however, remains true to its original vision: create a place that teaches primitive skills and helps people grow through their experiences in the natural world.

Who Goes to BOSS?

So who exactly goes to "survival school?" Normal people? The kind of people you'd want to hang out with? Well, if you're anything like our alumni, you'll be happy to know that the people who go to BOSS are normal, healthy people looking for an adventurous experience and you'll probably fit right in.

What BOSS is NOT

Travel Information

Since 1968, BOSS has operated in one of the most beautiful and remote parts of the USA: the area surrounding the small town of Boulder, Utah. It is here where we begin and end all courses, using the surrounding public lands as our classroom.

Fitness and Training

One of the major factors affecting your enjoyment and learning during your participation on a BOSS course will be your degree of physical fitness. We strongly encourage all of our students to arrive in good physical condition and offer the following words of wisdom as you consider how to best prepare for your course.

Risk on Courses

At BOSS, we hope to provide you with a wilderness experience that seeks to minimize your exposure to unwanted risks or injuries. However, this does not mean that we can eliminate these risks, for many of them are intrinsic to the types of experiences we offer. Many of the risks you experience on the trail (those related to hunger, thirst, weather, etc.) are, in fact, a critical component of your course. These may even be why you've come to BOSS in the first place.

Working for BOSS

Want to work in the outdoor industry? Or do you already have a job as a guide but want to learn what it takes to work for BOSS? This section explains our policies and procedures regarding staff recruitment and development.